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Three weeks to go. Who is coming down at winfly.
Maybe we can match the oldtimers with newcomers for the trip down. For those of you that have never been overseas before, the whole process of getting from the domestic terminal in LA to the overseas terminal, changing terminals again in Aukland and getting through customs can be daunting. There is also the CDC and the whole process of finding your hotel room. Where is the Square and how do the bus routes work. It’s nice to have someone give you the inside hints. Also don’t forget Baileys, the USAP hangout in Cheech.
So lets see who is coming down at winfly.I’ll be leaving the US on August 18th and (supposedly) arriving in McMurdo on the 22nd. I’ll be happy to help any of you new people through the process..
Winfly is almost here!!! Yay!
Zondra[font=Times New Roman:7oa949wk]Hi, Zondra! Safe travels & best wishes for a great season! Are you really taking Sarah Middleton’s old job? I was surprised to hear it – can’t picture you behind a desk all day, but I hope it turns out to be something you enjoy. Good luck! – E[/font:7oa949wk]
Aw. I got an offer to come down at Winfly and reallyreally wanted to take it, but couldn’t because I’ve got to finish up the contract at my job here before I go.
It would’ve been cool to see what it’s like though. Oh well, maybe another year. Safe travels, everyone. 🙂
Erica,
Yeah, I’m really taking Sara’s old job. I’ve been wearing my back out with heavy lifting, and so a desk job will be nice in that respect. I wrote a book a few years back, so I know I can sit at a computer for long hours… I’ve just never sat at a desk where they chain you down to certain hours. I’ll get used to it, I suppose. I think I’ll like that actual work, though.
ZondraGood for you Mike, thinking of how you seasoned vets can assist the newbee's
with the upcoming adventure. My second season Raytheon had taken over and no
one helped anyone or at least Raytheon did nothing to assist the new comers.
It was a struggle…heck even for me there were problems and that was my
second year. my hats off to you Mike! and Zondra for affering her help.Rick
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Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/I am on the first flight on the 16th and shall be searching for teh funny looking tags again so I can send them all to the wrong places. I spent the last week trying to recall all the terminls and such and I think I have it all remembered now again. I am sure it shall come flooding back like all nightmares do though. Any fingies on the first flight? see you in the flyways.
Lucky.There are 3 winfly flights on three different days with passengers. More than likely everyone for each day will take the same flight from LA to Aukland. Your flight into LAX will bring you into the domestic terminal . Your flight out will be from the Bradley International Terminal a short walk away. Ask lots of questions to find your way.
I know they give you a 50 lb allowance, but do you really want to be hauling 50 pounds around? Carry your expensive stuff. Mail everything thats not important. Most mail will come in around the mid part of October. Tshirts and sweats can be bought in the store if you find yourself in a bind. You will get tons of cold weather clothing issued to you. There are also the Skua piles of discarded clothing that can sometime yield treasures.
As with all travel, your checked luggage can get lost. It happens to someone every year. Make sure your hand carry has a change of clothes. Also hand carry your computer if you have one and your cameras. You won’t want to take a chance on those getting lost.
You will have been given a colorful tag to put on your bags. When you get to LAX look around and find the people with the tags, they’ll show you the ropes.
When you land at Aukland, You first pick up your bags and then go through customs and the agriculture check. No fresh fruit allowed it’s an instant 200 dollar fine. I usually keep all my candy bars etc from the trip out in the open and declare them. I’ve never had them taken away and its nice having some snacks in the airport.
After getting through customs you walk around the corner and recheck your bags for the next leg. You can check them at the international terminal. Your flight to christchurch will be from the domestic terminal , again a short walk away. Best to find someone to show the way. There should be lots of ice folk by this time.
When you arrive in Cheech, there is a USAP booth in the main lobby. There you get your hotel assignments. You may also go to the CDC (clothing distribution center) for an orientation. It’s a nice walk, so if someone will show the way, give your bag to the driver and walk.
Get your hotel room, get settled and get into cheech to see the sights. If you are unlucky, you will be flying down to MCM in a day or two, so maximise your time. Make a stop at Baileys Bar in the Square. Check out the arts center especially the open air market on saturday. Try a trip to Littlyton. Also there are tons of great resturants. Find some friends and have some fun.
good luck
MikeHello, All —
I’ll be in Christchurch at Winfly. However, it’s been eleven months since I’ve been in the ‘real’ world, and I might require assistance with things like talking to strangers, crossing the street, and using currency again. If it’s convenient, please offer assistance to an OAE who will be like a fish out of water upon his return to the ‘civilized’ world…
I’ll miss the ice. Life is so simple here…
atlas
[font=Arial:4800lli2]Great advice, Mike! [/font:4800lli2][font=Wingdings:4800lli2]J[/font:4800lli2]
[font=Arial:4800lli2]For any newbies concerned about the long flight, jet lag, etc – here are a few things that have worked for me:[/font:4800lli2]
[font=Arial:4800lli2]Raytheon typically books you on a flight to [/font:4800lli2][font=Arial:4800lli2]Auckland[/font:4800lli2][font=Arial:4800lli2] that arrives in the morning. I stayed up all night the day before I left & crashed out on the flights from LA. If you can get 6-8 hours of sleep somewhere during the 12, you get to NZ refreshed, already on their time schedule, and ready to walk all over Cheech.[/font:4800lli2]
[font=Arial:4800lli2]Also, at risk of sounding like a commercial, anyone into natural remedies might be interested in checking out a product called Airborne. (available from drugstore.com, which is also a fantastic resource for shipping extras to the ice.) It’s a combination of vitamins & herbal extracts designed to help your immune system cope with the stress of flying. I’m hooked.[/font:4800lli2]
[font=Arial:4800lli2]Most of all, just have fun! There is nothing like the experience of your first trip down – take time to enjoy yourself & soak it all in.[/font:4800lli2]
[font=Arial:4800lli2] [/font:4800lli2]
[font=Arial:4800lli2]E [/font:4800lli2]
Hey Atlas,
Would you be able to check something out for me????? I was wondering if there is at least one sewing machine that looks like it might work, I have a sewing project I want to work on…last season the machines looked pretty rough. I would appreciate it.
Glad you have had a good season. I fly out of LA on the 30th of Sept. Are you still coming back for the sumer?
Thanks SusanSusan M. DeSoto
Start your day with Yahoo! – make it your home pageHey, Susan —
The one in Gear Issue may be out, but there should be one or two up in the Crafts room. I’ll ask Tanya about them.
Yep, still coming back for the summer. Be there in late October. Ah, to see the sun again…
aThanks Mike, it looks like no sewing this summer season. I am a winter alternate…so I think I will bring the sewing just in case.
How are you guys? I am sure you are anxious to get out and travel.
Could you put me in touch with the person who works at MEC? I know Sally told me her name but I forgot.
Hey how is is looking for the diet soda?? Any shortage?
Well, I think there are a few personal sewing machines there, or get a handi stitch sent down.
Called from dental and delayed now until 2nd flight while they screw around, any more of their incompetence and I think I’ll simply take one of the other contracts I was offered and say goodbye to the Ice.
When you get to CheeCh, don’t s;eep. You get in early and if you sleep your whole timing is thrown off, try to nap on the plane and then stay awake until that night as this makes the transition easier and gets you readt to sleep early the next night in preperation for a 3 AM wakeup call to get ready.
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